Tsunami Relief 2
* American Sikhs work in South India with UNITED SIKHS
* Kundalini Yoga Teachers work in Thailand
Dear Family,
I have just come back from Thailand and I want to report on the Tsunami relief work done by our small group of Kundalini yoga students and teachers, in conjunction with many Buddhist friends. After the tsunami, I received an email from one of the Kundalini Yoga students in the Teacher Training program. I have included a portion of her letter here.
"By now you might have heard of the terrible disaster, destruction and loss of life in South Asia caused by Tsunamis earthquake…. My family and a few friends, plus some medical students are now gathering, and buying basic necessities such as blankets, used clothes, food, water, medicines to help the victims. We will personally go to the small villages that were affected but government help does not reach them, to help and distribute the necessities and to give moral support…"
This opened an opportunity for a grassroots effort to give where the most good could be accomplished for the money. I generated all the resources I could from family and friends and donated all proceeds from my teaching tour in Asia. My goal was to inspire other teachers to follow suit, and am happy to report that Kundalini yoga teachers in Japan and Malaysia and the USA have done so. Progress of our group was confirmed in an email I received from Annick, a KRI certified teacher and a member of the Teacher Training team in Thailand:
"To keep you updated with the effort to help the Tsunami affected people by our small group. Led by Khun Buen we reached to the southern part of Thailand on the 27th and went to many villages and islands which had not been reached yet by government or relief organizations. On the first trip we distributed blankets, clothes, slippers, rice, and canned food. As we learned more of the situation, we then purchased and delivered what was most immediately needed at that particular time...
The initiative of this relief was a small devoted Buddhist group, but Khun Buen received help from his friends of all faiths. We helped all people - foreigners, Thai, minorities, Muslims, Buddhists. There is a unity of all faiths, races, and humanity when disasters happen. Besides the material needs, they need a lot of moral support, and guidance for direction. Thank you to several KY teachers, who will donate their yoga teaching fees in January…"
The situation in Thailand as I understand it now is that although the basic necessities have been covered, there are still numerous obstacles. Our present focus in on drilling wells and helping the orphanages safeguard children (especially young girls) from trafficking. We appreciate any contributions - a great gesture of humanity and giving a sense of renewed courage and determination for those on the ground. For me the lessons of the tsunami are so obvious: We are One, and we have to live as the custodians of the One in all of us. Sat Nam